Lead-Free Brass Alloy

Abstract

The invention relates to brass alloys that are substantially lead-free. In the alloys of the invention, lead is replaced with tellurium resulting in alloys that exhibit excellent machinability and conductivity.

1 . A brass alloy comprising:
 Copper;   Zinc;   Tellurium; and   Lead,   wherein lead comprises less than 0.25% of the alloy and the tellurium comprises from about 0.025% to about 1% of the alloy.   
     
     
         2 . The alloy of  claim 1  wherein the copper comprises from about 57% to about 98% of the alloy. 
     
     
         3 . The alloy of  claim 1  wherein the zinc comprises from about 2.0% to about 43% of the alloy. 
     
     
         4 . The alloy of  claim 1  further comprising less than about 0.02% phosphorous. 
     
     
         5 . A brass alloy comprising:
 about 57% to about 98% copper;   about 2% to about 43% zinc; and   about 0.025% to about 1.0% tellurium.   
     
     
         6 . The alloy of  claim 5  further comprising less than about 0.025% lead. 
     
     
         7 . The alloy of  claim 1  having a tensile strength of from about 240 MPa to about 530 MPa. 
     
     
         8 . The alloy of  claim 1  having a yield strength of from about 200 MPa to about 450 MPa. 
     
     
         9 . The alloy of  claim 1  having a conductivity of from about 28% to about 49% IACS. 
     
     
         10 . The alloy of  claim 1  wherein the zinc comprises about 5% of the alloy. 
     
     
         11 . The alloy of  claim 1  wherein the zinc comprises about 10% of the alloy. 
     
     
         12 . The alloy of  claim 1  wherein the zinc comprises about 15% of the alloy. 
     
     
         13 . The alloy of  claim 1  when the zinc comprises about 40% of the alloy. 
     
     
         14 . A brass alloy comprising:
 from about 57% to about 98% copper;   from about 43 to about 2% zinc;   from about 0.025% to about 1.0% tellurium.   
     
     
         15 . The alloy of  claim 14  having a lead content of less than about 0.5%. 
     
     
         16 . The alloy of  claim 14  having a lead content of less than about 0.01%. 
     
     
         17 . The alloy of  claim 14  having a tensile strength of from about 240 MPa to about 530 MPa. 
     
     
         18 . The alloy of  claim 14  having a yield strength of from about 200 MPa to about 450 MPa. 
     
     
         19 . The alloy of  claim 14  having a conductivity of from about 28% to about 49% IACS.